A book is in the library, and a library is in the book.

Building of Spines unfolds over seven days in a library, where a book is researched, written, edited, printed, and bound by hand. Its narrative is shaped by responses from library visitors, guided by questions based on the Dewey Decimal System, weaving individual accounts into a collective fiction.

Only one book is made per location. On the final day, it is handed over to the library, processed, catalogued, and added to its collection.

So far there is a Building of spines in:

– Manchester Central library

– Leeds Central Library

– Haydock Library, St Helens

– Art House Middleton (Alt version, 700: Arts & Recreation category only)

– Longsight Library, Manchester

Soon to arrive at; Chester, Gateshead, Stockton on Tees & Oldham. 

This project is ongoing—if you’d like to bring it to a library near you, get in touch.

Developed & presented with Quarantine & Manchester City Libraries.